Lots of summer fun to be had in northeast S.D.

May 29, 2007

If gas prices are turning your fun summer plans into big bummer plans, consider the economical option of sticking close to home. We all know South Dakota has wonderful summer opportunities, but sometimes they are overlooked in favor of long drives to explore other states. With gas prices topping $3 per gallon, however, it's time to rediscover the home stomping grounds. Northeast South Dakota has some wonderful offerings for just about everyone this summer. For starters, why not head over to Fort Sisseton. The annual Historical Festival runs June 1-3. It is a great opportunity to immerse yourself, your friends or your family in entertainment, culture and history for a whole weekend. For those who don't know, or have never been there, Fort Sisseton is an actual 1864 fort and, now, a state park. It is a rare reminder of what life was like on the western frontier. Festival activities include - but are by no means limited too - music by old-time fiddlers, cavalry drills, children's arts in the park, a melodrama production, black-powder shooting, horseshoe demonstrations, period dance demonstrations and a costume ball. If you aren't interested in historic fun, maybe you would prefer to check out car racing at the Brown County Speedway - it starts June 1 and will run weekends through September. The next weekend - June 9 and 10 - both Mansfield and Warner are having community-wide celebrations. Mansfield is celebrating its 125th anniversary and Warner is celebrating 125 years, plus 1. Both communities will be having parades, softball games and various other forms of entertainment. Mansfield is also hosting a street dance. Ipswich Trail Days is also this weekend. The weekend of June 16, Northville is celebrating its 125th anniversary too. The city will host a 5K run/walk, a parade, a horse poker run, musical entertainment and a dance. The following weekend is full of more big events with weekend-long celebrations in Onaka and Bristol. If you can survive the first four weekends in June, then head on over to Ellendale, N.D., to ring out June and ring in July as Ellendale residents celebrate their all-school reunion and quasquicentennial with picnics, music, fireworks, parades and more. There are a veritable plethora of opportunities for all of us to check out close to home. By doing so we not only support and enhance our regional economy, we get to know our area and our neighbors better and we save a big chunk of gas money. Don't let gasoline-price sticker shock ruin your plans for summer fun. Life is good in northeast South Dakota - be sure to check it out. Election letter deadline Letters to the editor dealing with the June 5 city council election must be at the American News by noon, Friday, June 1. Letters arriving after that time will not be considered for publication. Letters are limited to 250 words and must include the writer's name, address and telephone number. Only the name and the town of the letter writer will be printed. A maximum of four signatures will be printed on a single letter. Letters are limited to one per 30 days for each writer. That allows us to print a greater variety. Letters written in Microsoft Word and sent as an attachment to the American News by e-mail to: letters@aberdeennews.com will get in fastest; however, letters may be submitted in traditional ways as well. You may mail a letter to Public Voice, American News, Box 4430, Aberdeen, SD 57402-4430 or fax it to 605-225-0421. All letters must be received by Friday noon to be considered for publication.-The Editor